The Chairman of Minehead Lawn Tennis Club up to March 2008 was Barbara Whymark who believes passionately in the role of the Club in the local community.
Here is what she had to say about the Minehead Lawn Tennis Club:
‘Club nights are on Tuesdays and Fridays all through the year and there is another Club session on Thursday morning’s. We have a social programme with outings to the theatre, quizzes and visits to Davis Cup matches, amongst the events. Our annual presentation dinner marks the end of the summer season. Subscriptions are reviewed annually at the AGM and at this time a full adult membership for the whole year costs £120.00 There are other categories of membership to cater for Families, Juniors and Country members.’
‘There are now 4 All-weather courts maintained to the highest standards by the firm who laid them and brought them up to date in 1998. The membership has been built up to the present total of more than 150 playing members, Senior and Junior. Two of the courts have been floodlit since 2002 and we have a coaching team to rival any club in Somerset of a comparable size. Coaching for Juniors is carried out by L.T.A. licenced coaches and 4 coaching assistants. The coaching team also runs courses for adult beginners and improvers and individual classes can be arranged with any of the Coaches. The Club runs five mixed teams in the Summer West Somerset League and one ladies’ team in the North Somerset Summer League; there are currently three mixed teams entered in the North Somerset Winter League and two Junior teams play in the West Somerset League – U14 (Under 14yrs) and U12 (Under 12yrs). Friendly matches take place with other local clubs for those players who do not want to play in the Leagues.’
‘We host an Open Mixed Doubles Tournament and a prestigious Junior L.T.A. Ratings Tournament. In addition, we held Junior Matchplays, and Dean’s Sports Tournaments for Junior players. There are two Club Tournaments in the summer, one arranged for those Club members who do not play in the top teams, and one Winter Mixed Tournament where partners are drawn out of the hat. American tournaments are held during the Summer.’
‘The Club was established in 1927. It’s first home was in Blenheim gardens, but the fashion became the founding of private clubs and it was soon transferred to its present site in Alexandra Road, then leased from the Luttrell family. There were eleven courts, mainly grass but with a couple of grey hard courts. The Club became the setting for County weeks and soon thrived to a membership of 180 members, Senior and Junior. However, with the passage of time the membership dwindled, the courts became too expensive to maintain, and, most significantly, the land was sold by the Luttrell family to a local property developer. The club was saved by the efforts of the committee and the generosity of the property developer They secured a Lottery grant and were then able to purchase the Freehold of the land from the developer and resurfaced and refurbish the courts and clubhouse. The year was 1998 and so began the latest chapter in the history of this club.’
‘This is a club with historical importance in the area and it prides itself on a progressive approach to the growth of tennis locally and within the club itself. The next project is the enlargement and redesign of the Clubhouse.
‘We welcome new members who can share in the development of the Club and in our enjoyment of the sport of tennis.’
President: David Blake Chairman: Barbara Whymark
Club contact Heather Bowditch (tel: 01643-705712)
May 2006
